6 More Weeks of Winter! Will ‘Phil’ Get It Right?
February 2, 2021 Pandemic or not, Punxsutawney Phil came out of his groundhog lockdown lair in Central Pennsylvania just long enough to see his shadow. Yep, that means six more weeks of winter for 2021, according to weather lore at least. But is there more to this tradition than just a party with copious press coverage and a large rodent at the center of it all?
Last year, the famous groundhog reportedly did not see its shadow — aka, early spring. Scientists from NOAA said in that case, Phil was accurate in his “prediction” as the contiguous U.S. saw above-average temperatures for both February and March 2020.
The rest of the year would continue to heat up around the globe, winding up virtually tied as the hottest on record.
So, just how accurate have Groundhog Day predictions been over the years? Check out a fun infographic NOAA provided.
Based on Phil’s recent track record, his guess is as good as yours or mine.
Some of Phil’s counterparts around the country saw things differently this time around. In Georgia, Gen. Beauregard Lee emerged from his “mansion” to no shadow. The same was true for Buckeye Chuck in Ohio as well as Jimmy the Groundhog in Wisconsin. But Woody the Woodchuck in Michigan agrees with Phil.
Which rodent is right? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Official spring solstice (March 20) will be here before we know it.